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Faced with the choice of after school cookies or chess, most of the 22 students enrolled in this year's Taylors Falls Elementary School Chess Club chose chess. "It was such a surprise," said one volunteer, "to walk into the school library only minutes after the bell to find over a dozen 4th and 5th graders quietly engrossed in games of chess."

Joe Thimm, Taylors Falls Elementary School principal, approved organization of the chess club in September. "Support for the fledgling group came from everywhere," said another volunteer. Teachers and parents donated sets and boards. The US Chess Federation donated five sets and boards through the Chess-For-Youth Program. Chisago Lakes Community Education offered the use of official chess clocks for the tournament. U of M math professor and long time chess player, Lawrence Gray, offered weekly chess theory insights to help club organizers teach. And, at the very first meeting Joanne Peterson, grandma to one of the students, stepped forward "just to help out." more.

During six-90 minute after school sessions students received formal instruction, and viewed videos of other young players and famous adult players from around the world. They learned to castle, promote a pawn, play an en passant, and maneuver into their favorite move - "a fork." By November, it was evident that they had taken the game to heart; chess game software began appearing on handheld game devices. The final 2011 meeting December 8 was Tournament Night, and 21 students competed for three medals in three rounds of games.

The Taylors Falls Elementary School Chess Club was organized by Minnesota ReadingCorps volunteer, Hillary Stenzel, and MathCorps volunteer Maria Erickson.

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